Machine for wrapping thick butt shingles



Sept. 13, 1960 H. H. FULLER MACHINE FOR WRAPPING THICK BUTT samcuzs 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 9, 1959 IN V EN TOR. ffomerflfldleij BY ZZZ my Sept. 13, 1960 H. H. FULLER 2,952,107

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fi w R Ul H- 5- riiiPIiIlliLL a u u n NQN u m QNN W m QQW m m M A ilidiilil, mm kw mv mm W United States Patent F MACHINE FOR WRAPPING THICK BUTT SHINGLES Homer H. Fuller, Western Springs, 111., assignor, by

Filed July 9, 1959, Ser. No. 825,953

13 Claims. (Cl. 53-209) This invention relates to a machine for packaging thick butt shingles and analogous articles.

It is Well known to form composition shingles of comparatively thick sheets of felt or other suitable material impregnated with asphalt or other water proofing substance. One type of such shingles have their lower portions, when applied to a roof, thickened and are termed butt shingles. They are commonly assembled in packages each containing a stack of twenty seven shingles comprising three hands of shingles. Each hand comprises nine shingles all similarly disposed, in the case of thick butt shingles. The hands of each stack are arranged in alternately opposite relation so that the stack is from three-eighths to onehalf of an inch higher at one side than the other. That variation in height of the stack renders it difficult to wrap a stack of shingles a surrounding paper wrapper and assure that the wrapper is drawn tightly about the stack preliminary to securing together the overlapping edge portions of the wrapper. My invention is directed to a machine which avoids that difliculty and assures that the wrapper is stretched tightly about the stack of shingles and is maintained under tension thereabout until it has been effectively secured, regardless of the position of the high side of the stack relative to the sides of the machine.

The machine of my invention is intended for the production of packages of butt shingles. It folds a paper Wrapper about a stack of shingles, with the adhesive coated end portions of the wrapper disposed in overlapping relation, as the stack and wrapper pass through the machine, then draws the wrapper tightly about the stack and while it is held under tension thereabout applies pressure to the overlapping ends of the wrapper thereby securing it about the stack and forming the completed package, in the continued travel of the stack and wrapper to the exit end of the machine.

More specifically, the packaging operation comprises providing a suitably dimensioned sheet of strong and heavy paper which is creased to provide a fold line and a first wing extending therefrom and of a width equal to the height of a stack of shingles plus somewhat more than one-half the width of the stack. The creased sheet of paper is placed in a suitable form or holder having a vertical wall and a horizontal wall extending from the vertical Wall, with the crease or fold line seating in the angle between the two walls and the first wing extending upwardly and seating against the vertical wall. The other or second wing of the wrapper sheet rests upon .and extends beyond the horizontal wall or base of the holder and is of a Width somewhat greater than one and onehalf times the width of the stack plus the height thereof. The first wing of the wrapper sheet is provided, at the outer face of the margin of its end portion with a suitable adhesive, preferably in this case a pressure sensitive adhesive, and the wrapper sheet is also provided, at the inner face of the end margin of the second wing Patented Sept. 13, 1960 thereof, with a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive. The stack of shingles is placed upon the second Wing of the wrapper sheet, with the lower rearward corner of the stack coincident with the crease. The wrapper and the stack are then passed as a unit through the machine, which folds the first wing of the wrapper downwardly and inwardly over the stack, folds the second wing of the wrapper upwardly about the front of the stack and then downwardly and inwardly of the stack to position with the adhesive coated area of the second wing opposed to and overlying the adhesive coated area of the first wing, at the lengthwise central area of the stack. The wrapper is creased along the upper lengthwise edges or corners of the stack, by spring pressed combined hold down bar and edge creaser members, and is then pulled tightly about the stack by tensioning rollers. while held tensioned about the stack by the rollers, is subjected to sealing pressure by preliminary pressure means from which the package passes beneath final pressure means which exerts sealing pressure on the overlapping adhesive coated end marginal portions of the wrapper, thereby completing the package. In the completed package the wrapper is secured under tension fitting tightly about the shingles of the stack, effective for retaining them accurately in stacked relation, to facilitate handling of the package. In packaging a stack of butt shingles, if the hold down bar and creaser members were at the same height at opposite sides of the package being formed, the wrapper would not be accurately creased along the upper corner of the low side of the stack and would not be drawn tightly about the stack by the tensioning rollers. That would result in looseness of the wrapper, objectionable for obvious reasons.

My invention is directed to a machine particularly suited to packaging thick butt shingles and analogous articles arranged in stacks of greater height at one side than at the other side. To that end I provide means whereby assurance is had that the wrapper is accurately creased along the upper corner edges of the stack, so that the tensioning rollers are equally eifective for pulling the wrapper tightly about the stack at both the high side and the low side thereof regardless of the position of the high side of the stack relative to the sides of the machine. More particularly, I provide means actuated by the package being formed whereby the hold down bar and edge creaser member at the side of the machine corresponding to the high side of the stack is automatically adjusted to the proper height for that side while the corrsponding member at the low side of the stack is maintained at the proper height for that side. Accordingly, it is not necessary to exert care in positioning the stack in the machine, which is conducive to increased speed of operation with resultant increased production, and assurance is had that the wrapper will be pulled tightly about the stack of shingles regardless of the disposition of the high and the low sides thereof relative to the sides of the machine. Another important feature of my invention is the provision of means whereby the tensiom'ng rollers are raised, to facilitate entry therebeneath of the package unit, and are then lowered onto the unit in pressure contact therewith. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a thick butt shingle illustrative of the type of shingle tor the packaging of which the machine of my invention is particularly adapted;

Figure 2 is an isometric view of a package of thick butt shingles produced by the machine of my invention;

Figure 3 is an end view, on an enlarged scale, of the package of Figure 2;

The wrapper,

Figures 4 and 4A together comprise a top plan View of the machine of my invention;

Figures 5 and 5A together comprise a side View of the machine of my invention;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of the folder blade, taken adjacent the rearward end thereof, showing in end view and fragmentarily the upper and lower flaps of the wrapper sheet with the opposed adhesively coated marginal portions thereof separated by the blade, the package unit in major portion being indicated in dot and dash lines; and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, similar to Figure 6, but of the upper and lower separator strips with the adhesive coated margin of the upper flap of the wrapper between them and held thereby out of contact with the opposed adhesive coated margin of the lower flap of the wrapper, this view being taken on a line a short distance in rear of the folder blade.

In Figure l I have shown a conventional type of thick butt shingle 20 formed of suitable material, as above. It may be approximately thirty six inches long and twelve inches wide, with its lower or butt portion 21 of greater thickness than its upper portion and comprising three units separated by notches 22, butt portion 21 further having end half notches 23. The shingles 20 or other articles may be of any suitable dimensions, with or without notches, the sheet of paper or wrapper being properly dimensioned to be secured tightly about the stack of articles in the manner above described and, preferably, to extend substantial-1y the full length of the stack; as will be understood.

Referring to Figure 2, in forming a package of thick butt shingles, such as the shingle 20 of Figure 1, the shingles are arranged in a stack 24 of three hands, each hand containing nine shingles all similarly arranged, the hands being disposed in alternately opposite directions. A paper wrapper 25 is then secured tightly about the stack 24 providing therewith the package 26 of Figure 2.

Referring to the machine of Figures 4 to 5A, inclusive, a suitable fixture 27 for supporting the two wings 28 and 29 of wrapper 25 is provided. Fixture 27 comprises a vertical back board or plate 30 against the front face of which the vertical wing or portion 28 of wrapper 25 is disposed. A horizontal plate 31 extends from back board or plate 30, adjacent the lower edge thereof and at right angles thereto. An endless belt 32 is trained over rollers 33 and 34 with its upper run resting on plate 31 and its rearward edge in close proximity to plate 30 providing therewith a right angled corner approximately coincident with the crease or fold line in wrapper 25, above referred to, between wings or portions 28 and 29 thereof. Either one or both of the rollers 33 and 34 may be clutched to suitable known driving means, as desired by the operator, for driving the upper run of belt 32 toward the right. The plate 30 provides with the upper run of belt 32 a support for the creased and bent wrapper sheet 25, and for stack 24 of shingles 20 placed upon wing or portion 29 of Wrapper 25, in contact with wing or portion 23 of the latter, with the lower rear corner of the stack coincident with the crease of wrap per 25, to be referred to more fully presently.

Adjacent the movable belt 32 and its right hand roller 34 is a roller 35 and movable belt 36 trained thereover. The belt is adapted to be driven when desired by suitable drive means not shown. This roller 35 is journalled in a horizontal frame 37, 37 supported by legs 39, 39 at the left hand end, and likewise by legs 40 at the right hand end, and by intermediate supports 4-2. The frame is disposed in substantially horizontal position, and carries at its right hand end bearings for the roller 38 over which the belt 36 is also trained, so that an object deposited on the left hand end of the belt 36 4 may travel to the right hand end when power is applied to the rollers 35 or 38.

The upper run of the web or belt 36 is preferably supported on a series of rollers 43 closely enough spaced to give adequate support to the objects to be conveyed along the length of the aforesaid web or belt. Guide arms or rods 44 and 45 on opposite sides of the web 36 extend diagonally upwardly and inwardly towards the center. The lower outwardly disposed ends of the guide rods 44 and 45 are adjustably supported from the frame 37 on posts 46 and 47, so that their position vertically and laterally and endwise of the main frame 37 may be adjusted within the desired limits. Likewise, the upper converging ends of the rods 44 and 45 may be adjusted vertically, laterally and endwise of the main frame 37 by adjustable posts 48, 48, clamped to an angle cross bar 49. This cross bar 49 is supported by adjusting screws 50 threaded in brackets 51 secured to and extending above the sides of frame 37. Consequently, the side bars 44, 45 are adjustably supported at their upper ends on the said cross bar or bridge 49 supported above the main frame, and sufiiciently far above the traveling web or belt 36 to provide the desired clearance for the package in its course of formation being carried on the said belt. Auxiliary guide rods 54, 55, adapted to form in efiect a continuation of the guide rods 44, 45 are bent to form a converging throat 53 for bringing the flaps of the wrapper into overlapping relation as the stack and wrapper travel toward the right. The said rods 54 and 55 are adjustably supported on a second angle cross bar or bridge 52 in the same manner as the guide rods 44 and 45 are mounted on the cross bar 49. The cross bar 52 is spaced an appreciable distance rearward from cross bar 49 and is supported in the same manner as the latter for vertical adjustment.

Side bars 57, 53 are disposed in pairs on each side of the belt 36. These guide bars at their left hand ends in advance of the throat 53 converge towards the center of the belt and then extend along both sides in parallel relation at a uniform distance from each other as the portions 57a, 58a from in advance of the bridge 49 to the rear or delivery end of the machine at the right of Figures 4A and 5A. These bars 57 and 58-are mounted on a series of adjusting screws 59 threaded through brackets 60 secured to the sides of frame 37, whereby the side bars 57 and 58 may be adjusted to desired lateral position to control the spacing between the pairs of side bars 57 and 58, and their parallel extensions 57a and 58a. They serve to hold the wrapper against the sides or flanks of the stack in the course of travel of the partially formed package from the assembly bracket or fixture 27 to the delivery end of the machine. The function of the bars 44, 45, 54 and 55 is to fold and hold the flaps of the wrapper 25 over the top of the stack with the upper or outer flap overlying the lower or .inner flap. A horizontally disposed folder member or blade 54a is carried by bar 54 and extends therefrom inward transversely of the machine. The blade 54a tapers in width outwardly, toward the feed end of the machine, and holds down the folded over inner or lower flap of wrapper 25 while also holding the folded over outer or upper flap of the wrapper 25 out of contact with the lower flap thereof, as will be explained more fully later Combined hold down bar and edge creaser members 63 (Figure 5A) are mounted adjacent the sides of the frame 37 in parallel relation to and above the portions of the side guide bars 57 and 58 adjacent the angle cross bars 49 and 52. The members 63 extend forward to adjacent cross bar 49, with their forward end portions curved upward, as shown. They are disposed to engage about the upper corners of a package being formed and to hold down the corner portions of the wrapper while creasing it along the upper corners of the stack of shingles. Each of the members 63 is suspended from a plate 64 by bolts 65 'secured thereto and slidable through plate 64, nuts thereof from an overlying substantially rectangular platform 70 supported for vertical adjustment by pins 71 secured in the cross bars 49 and 52 and having adjusting nuts threaded thereon. Elongated studs 72 are secured at their lower ends, conveniently by welding, to plate 64 and are slidable through aligned openings in platform '70 and a channel member 73 secured on the upperface of platform 70. Wing nuts 74 threaded on the upper ends of studs 72 limit relative downward travel of plate 64. Solenoids 75 and 76 are mounted on platform 70 adjacent each end and the right hand side thereof, as viewed from the feed end or fixture of the machine. Similarly, solenoids 77 and 78 are mounted on platform 70 adjacent each end and the left hand side thereof, for adjusting the hold down bar and edge creaser member '63 at that side of the machine. Plungers 79 of solenoids '75 and 76 extend through platform 70 and are attached at their lower ends to the ends of plate 64 of the right hand member 63, the plungers of solenoids 77 and 78 being likewise extended through platform 70 and attached to plate 64 of the left hand member 63. The guide members 69 are appropriately formed to limit upward movement of each of the plates 64 by the associated solenoids when energized.

Two frames 82 of substantially inverted U-shape and of angle iron construction are secured to the sides of main frame 37 a short distance in rear of platform 70, frames 82 being aligned transversely of the machine. An angle cross bar 83 connects the frames 82 at each end thereof and is mounted for vertical adjustment thereon by means of screw clamps 84. A platform 85 is supported on the cross bars 83, between frames 82 and for vertical adjustment relative thereto, by blocks 87 secured to the ends of platform 85 extending downward therefrom and seating on and secured to bars 83. Rods 88 are secured at their lower ends to the ends of bars 83 and extend therefrom upward through fingers 89 fixed to the upper corners of frame 82. The upper portions of rods 88 are threaded and receive nuts 90 and 91 screwed thereon at the upper and under faces, respectively, of fingers 89. The rods 88 and associated parts provide means for adjusting cross bars 83, and with them the platform 85, vertically to desired extent, as will be understood.

Three solenoids 91, 92 and 93 are mounted on platform 85 at each side of, and equidistant from, the lengthwise center line of the machine. The plunger 94 of each of the solenoids 91, 92 and 93 passes through platform 85 and is pivoted at its lower end to a rectangular plate 95 a short distance rearward beyond the midlength thereof. The plate 95 is pivoted, at its forward end, at 96 to platform 85 and is secured at its rearward end to the lower end of a bolt 97 passing through platform 85 and having an abutment member or nut on its upper end limiting downward movement of the rearward end of plate 95 relative to platform 85. A bracket 98, bolted to the rearward end of plate 95, extends downward therefrom and carries a rubber faced tensioning roller 99. As will be understood from what has been said there are six rollers 99, three at each side of the center line of the machine, those at one side being inclined transversely of the machine in one direction and those at the other side being inclined in the opposite direction, effective for pulling the wrapper tightly about the stack of shingles, as will appear more fully presently. When the solenoids 91, 92 and 93 are deenergized, the rollers 99 are disposed to bear upon the overlapping top flaps of the wrapper, a short distance from and at opposite sides of the lengthwise center line of the package being formed. The plates are of substantial thickness and weight to assure that the pressure exerted by the rollers 99 is adequate. Preferably, though not necessarily, an upper separator strip 100 is secured at its forward end to cross bar 49 and extends therefrom in superposed closely spaced parallel relation to a lower separator strip 101 extending rearward from member or blade 54a. The strips 100 and 101 extend rearward along the center line of the machine to about the rearward end of the side frames 82. The strip 100 and the associated underlying strip 101 are so disposed that, when the top closure flaps of the wrapper are folded over, the adhesive coated marginal end portion of the outer or upper flap extends between the metal separator or guard strips 100 and 101 effective for preventing contact between the then adjacently opposed adhesive coated marginal end portions of the flaps.

A preliminary sealing roller 102 is mounted in the rearward end of an arm 103 pivoted at its forward end on cross bar 83 and extending along the lengthwise center line of the machine. Downward movement of arm 103 is limited by a flexible cord or chain 104 attached thereto and to bar 83 and of such length that roller 102 bears on the top of a package passing through the machine. Roller 102 presses the adhesive coated marginal end portions of the top flaps of the wrapper together and smooths them, preliminary to the succeeding final sealing operation. A final sealing roller 105, of substantially greater weight than roller 102, is rotatably mounted in the rearward end of a yoke 106 pivoted at its forward end on a cross rod 107 mounted in brackets 108 secured to the sides of frame 37 a short distance in rear of platform 85. Downward movement of roller is limited by bolts 109 secured to yoke 106 and slidable through an angle cross bar 110 secured to brackets 111 secured to the sides of main frame 37, bolts 109 receiving abutment members or nuts 112 above bar 110. The roller 105 is disposed on the lengthwise center line of the machine and the yoke 106 is so adjusted that roller 105 rests upon the lengthwise central area of a package passing therebeneath and exerts pressure thereon effective for assuring that the adhesive coated end marginal portions of the top flaps of the wrapper are sealed tightly together.

A first limit switch 115, of suitable known type, is mounted adjacent the left hand side of the machine, on an arm 116 secured to and extending forward from the angle cross bar 49. A similar limit switch 117 is mounted adjacent the right hand side of the machine, on an arm 118 also secured to and extending forward from cross bar 49. The actuating arms of the switches and 117 extend downward and are disposed to be contacted by the leading end at the high side only of a package unit on belt 36, comprising a stack of shingles and the wrapper, entering the throat 53, as will appear more fully later. The switches 115 and 117 are normally open, switch 115 controls the circuit of solenoids 77 and 78, and switch 117 controls the circuit of solenoids 75 and 76, for a purpose to be explained presently. A normally open holding switch 119, spaced rearward from switches 115 and 117 a distance less than the length of the stack of shingles, is mounted on platform 70 adjacent the center line of the machine. The actuating arm 120 of switch 119 extends downward and is of such length that it will be contacted by the leading end of the stack of shingles, efiective for closing switch 119. A second normally open holding switch 121 is mounted on cross bar 52, adjacent the right side of the machine and a short distance rearward from switch 119. The actuating arm122 of switch 121 is of substantial length and extends downward and rearward to such extent that it will be actuated, efiective for closing switch 121, by the leading end of a package being formed, at either the high side or the low side of the package, and will be held by the package in switch closing position until the package passes beyond the rearward end of arm 122.

A normally open limit switch 125 is mounted on forward cross bar 82, at one side of and adjacent the lengthwise center line of the machine. The actuating arm 126 of switch 125 extends downward a distance such that it will be actuated by the leading end of the package, effective for closing the circuit of the two solenoids 91 and thereby raising the first pair of tensioning rollers 99 so as to permit the leading end of the package to pass therebeneath. Three switches 127, 128 and 129, also disposed to one side of and adjacent the lengthwise center line of the machine, are mounted on platform 35. The actuating arms 130, 131 and 132 of switches 127, 128 and 129, respectively, are disposed adjacent the rearward ends of the respective plates 95 and extend downward to position to be actuated effectively and successively by the leading end of the package. When arm 130 of switch 127 is actuated, that switch opens the circuit of solenoids 91 thereby dropping the first set of tensioning rollers 99 into pressure contact with the top flaps of the wrapper, and closes the circuit of solenoids 92 so as to raise the second set of rollers 99 for entry of the package therebeneath. In the continued advancement of the package, it actuates arm 131 of switch 127, which opens the circuit of solenoids 92, dropping the second set of rollers 99 to operative position on the top of the package, and closes the circuit of solenoids 93 raising the third set of rollers 99 to position for entry therebeneath of the leading end of the package. The leading end of the package passes beneath the third set of rollers 99 and then actuates arm 132 of switch 129, which opens the circuit of solenoids 93 and lowers the third set of rollers 99 to operative position onto the top flaps of the package. Thereafter, the package passes beneath the preliminary sealing roller 102 and thence beneath the final sealing roller 105, the completed package being discharged from the delivery end of the machine onto a suitable support, or removed from the machine in a suitable manner, as desired. As the following end of the package clears the actuating arms 130, 131 and 132 of switches 127, 128 and 129, respectively, they return to their normal lowered positions and those switches remain open with the corresponding plates 95 in their normally lowered positions. Accordingly, when the following end of the package has passed beyond arm 132 of switch 129 all of the solenoids 91, 92 and 93 are deenergized and all of the plates 95 are in lowered position.

The switches above mentioned, and the associated circuits, may be of any suitable known or conventional type and, it is thought, need not be described in further detail. The holding switch 119 holds the circuit of solenoids 77 and 78, or the circuit of the solenoids 75 and 76, as the case may be, when the following end of the package unit, comprising the stack of shingles and the wrapper, clears the limit switch 115 or the limit switch 117, as will be explained more fully presently. The holding switch 121 supplements switch 119 and holds closed the circuit first held closed by the latter switch. Accordingly, before the following end of the package unit passes beyond actuating arm 120 of switch 119 switch 121 takes over and holds closed the circuit formerly held closed by switch 119. When the following end of the package unit passes beyond actuating arm 122 of switch 121 that switch opens the circuit of the solenoids 77 and 78, or 75 and 76, as the case may be, returning the corresponding hold down bar and edge creaser member 63 to its normal lowered position.

In the operation of the machine a package unit, comprising a stack of thick butt shingles and a wrapper, prepared as previously described, is placed at the loading or feeding station of the machine, with the vertical portion or wing of the wrapper against the inner or front face of the back board 30 and the other wing or portion resting upon the upper run of belt 32. It may be assumed, for purposes of description, that the high side of the stack is at the left hand side of the machine against the vertical wing 28 of wrapper 25. The belt 32 is then set in operation and delivers the unit onto the upper run of belt 36 and it is positioned centrally of the latter, as indicated by the dot and dash lines 135 (Fig. 4) by the guide rods 44 and 45 in advance of throat 53. Alternatively, the assembly fixture 27 may be disposed to center the unit on belt 32 transversely thereof. The guide rods or arms and associated parts obviously may be adjusted to secure optimum performance. The hold down bar and edge creaser members 63 at both sides of the machine are normally in lowered position and at proper height to engage the lower top corner of the package unit. It is assumed that the high side of the unit is at the left hand side of the machine,as above noted. As the unit advances into the machine, the upper portion of wing 28 of wrapper 25 is folded downward and inward toward the top of the stack, to provide the lower or inner top closure flap for the package, with the stripe or line of adhesive along the marginal end portion of that flap exposed at the outer face thereof along the central lengthwise area of the stack. Also, during such folding of wing 28 of the wrapper 25, portion 29 thereof, which may be raised by the operator to position to rest on guide rod 45, is folded by the latter, in cooperation with rod 55, upwardly along the outer side of the stack of shingles and then inward and downward toward the stack to provide the upper or outer closure flap with its stripe or line of adhesive overlying and opposed to the stripe of adhesive on the inner flap. The folded over lower closure flap passes under blade 54a and is held thereby out of contact with the upper closure flap, which is folded downward onto blade 54a. As the package unit advances through the machine, the outer or upper closure flap enters between the metal strips and 101 so that the adhesive coated area thereof is held out of contact with the opposed adhesive coated area of the inner or lower flap. That eliminates possibility of the two adhesive coated areas being brought into pressure contact with resultant adherence together thereof, which would be objectionable as interfering with the succeeding drawing or tensioning of the wrapper tightly about the stack of shingles.

As the package unit moves into the throat 53, the leading end of the high or left side thereof ac-tuates the arm of switch thereby closing the circuit of solenoids 77 and 78. That raises the left hand member 63 to proper height for engaging the left hand upper corner portion of the unit and thereby creasing the wrapper along that corner while holding it down on the stack of shingles in the folding of the inner top closure flap downward and inward onto the stack. The lower or right hand side of the package unit does not actuate switch 117 and the member 63 at that side remains in its normal lowered position, at proper height to engage the right hand upper corner portion of the unit for creasing the wrapper along that corner and holding down the upper closure flap as it is folded downward to position with its adhesive coated area overlying and opposed to the adhesive coated area ofthe lower or inner closure flap as above described. If the unit were initially positioned with the high side thereof toward the right hand side of the machine, the switch 117 would be closed, lifting the member 63 to the proper height, and switch 115 would remain open with member 63 at the proper height for the low side of the unit, it being remembered that both members 63 are normally atthe latter height. The package unit may, therefore, be delivered to the folding section of the machine in either position, i.e., with the high side of the unit toward either side of the machine. Accordingly, it is not necessary to exert care in the positioning of the unit, which is conducive to increased speed in operation with resultant increase in production, desirable for obvious reasons. Assurance is thus had that the wrapper is accurately creased along the upper corners of the stack thereby assuring that it will be pulled tightly about the stack, at both sides thereof, by the tensioning rollers, as explained below.

In the continued travel of the package unit through the folding section, it actuates the holding switch 119 and, shortly thereafter, the holding switch 121, as and for the purpose above described. The unit then enters the Wrapper pulling or tensioning section of the machine and in its travel therethrough actuates the switches 127, 128 and 129 successively. The sets of tensioning rollers 99 are thus successively raised for entry beneath them of the package unit and are then lowered into operative pressure contact with the top closure flaps of the wrapper effective for drawing it tightly about thestack of shingles, the adhesive coated area of the upper flap being then held out of contact with the adhesive coated area of the lower flap by the strips 100 and 101, as previously explained. When the leading end of the now nearly completed unit passes beyond the last set of rollers 99, the adhesive coated end margin of the upper closure flap passes from between the strips 100 and 101. Shortly thereafter the package unit passes beneath the preliminary sealing roller 102 and thence beneath the final sealing roller 105 effective for permanently sealing together the overlapping margins of the closure flaps, thus completing the package 'ofFigure 2. As above indicated, the adhesive applied to the end marginal portions of the wrapper may be of any suitable type. If desired, instead of a pressure sensitive adhesive a suitable known heat sensitive adhesive may be used, which is dry and nonadhering at normal temperatures and becomes adhesive when heated. In such cases, the sealing rollers 102 and 105 may be replaced by rollers of known type heated in a known manner to a temperature effective for rendering the adhesive sufficiently tacky to assure effective bonding together of the marginal end portions of the Wrapper as the package passes beneath the rollers.

Preferably, though not necessarily, the package units should be spaced apart a distance of approximately four feet as they pass through the machine. If desired, the package units may be disposed substantially in end to end contact, in which case they should be all disposed similarly, i.e., with the high sides of the units toward the same side of the machine. If desired, the feed belt 32 may be omitted and replaced by a portion of belt 36, the latter being extended to and about the belt roller 33. In such case, if the package units are to be spaced apart, belt 36 would have to be intermittently stopped and started, tending to reduce the output of the machine. It is preferred that the units be spaced apart as above, which assures neat and tightly wrapped bundles, and the use of a separate feed belt is preferred for that reason.

It will be understood that changes in detail may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my invention is disclosed.

I claim: p

I 1. In a machine for applying a wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other, means for conveying the Wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly on the top thereof to provide 'twotop closure flaps disposed with their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portio'n's of the unit in. its travel and normally at a height corresponding to one side of the unit, means actuated by said unit for adjusting one of said members to a height corresponding to the other side of the unit in advance of the latter While retaining the other of said members at said normal height, tensioning means for drawing said wrapper tightly about said stack succeeding said folding operation, and means for subjecting the overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps to sealing pressure in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

2. In a machine for applying a wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps disposed with their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means actuated by said unit for raising the one of said members corresponding to the high side of the unit to the height of said high side in advance of said unit while retaining the other of said members at said normal height, tensioning means for drawing said Wrapper tightly about said stack succeeding said folding operation, and means for subjecting the overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps to scaling pressure in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

3. In a machine for applying a Wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps disposed With their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means actuated by said unit for raising the one of said members corresponding to the high side of the unit to the height of said high side in advance of said unit while retaining the other of said members at said normal height, supplementary means actuated by said unit eifective for retaining said one member raised until said unit has passed therebeyond, tensioning means for drawing said wrapper tightly about said stack succeeding said folding operation, and means for subjecting the overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps to sealing pressure in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

4-. In a machine for applying a wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps disposed With their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means actuated by said unit for raising the one of said members corresponding to the high side of the unit to the height of said high side in advance of said unit while retaining the other of said members at said normal height, supplementary means actuated by said unit eiiective for retaining said one member raised until said unit has passed therebeyond and then releasing it for return to normal position, tensioning means for drawing said wrapper tightly about said stack succeeding said folding operation, and means for subjecting the overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps to sealing pressure in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

5. In a machine for applying a wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other,

11 means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps disposed with their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means adjacent each side of the path of travel of said unit adapted to be actuated by the high side only of the unit and effective for raising the corresponding one of said members to a height corresponding to said high side in advance of said unit, supplementary means actuated by said unit effective for retaining said one member raised until said unit has passed therebeyond and then releasing it for return to normal position, tensioning means for drawing said wrapper tightly about said stack succeeding said folding operation, and means for subjecting the overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps to sealing pressure in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

6. In a machine for applying about a stack of shingles a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated marginal end portion opposed to and overlying said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, separator means effective for holding said adhesive coated marginal end portions out of contact with each other, tensioning means for drawing said wrapper tightly about said stack during travel of said unit along said separator means, and pressure means beyond said separator means and said tensioning means for exerting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said Wrapper.

7. In a machine for applying a wrapper about a stack of shingles of greater height at one side than the other, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps disposed with their marginal end portions in overlapping relation, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids connected to said members respectively for selectively raising them to a height corresponding to the high side of the unit, normally open limit switches adjacent each side of the machine disposed to be closed by the high side only of the unit for energizing the corresponding solenoids and thereby raising in advance of said unit the one of said members corresponding to the high side of said unit, holding switch means actuated by said unit for holding closed the circuit of the last mentioned solenoids until said unit has passed beyond said members and thereafter opening said circuit, tensioning means beyond said members for drawing said wrapper tightlyabout the stack, and pressure means beyond said tensioning means for exerting sealing pressure on said overlapping marginal end portions of said flaps in the advancement of said unit beyond said tensioning means.

8. In a machine for applying about a stack of shingles a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated marginal end porin opposed to and overlying and spaced from said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, a plurality of sets of tensioning rollers beyond said folding means disposed to draw said wrapper tightly about said stack and normally positioned at a height to exert tensioning pressure on said flaps, means actuated by said unit for successive- 1y raising said sets of rollers in advance of said unit to a height to clear the latter and then lowering each set of rollers onto said unit as the latter advances to position beneath the respective sets of rollers, and pressure means beyond said sets of rollers for exerting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said wrapper.

9. In a machine for applying about a stack of shingles a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated marginal end portion opposed to and overlying and spaced from said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, a plurality of sets of tensioning rollers beyond said folding means disposed to draw said Wrapper tightly about said stack and normally positioned at a height to exert tensioning pressure on said flaps, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids respectively connected to said sets of rollers for raising them to a position to clear said unit, normally open switches controlling said solenoids and successively actuated by said unit for energizing said solenoids effective for raising each set of rollers in advance of said unit and then deenergizing solenoids respectively as the unit enters beneath each set of rollers for lowering the, latter to said normal position, and pressure means beyond said sets of rollers for exerting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said wrapper.

10. In a machine for applying about a stack of shingles a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated marginal end portion opposed to and overlying and spaced from said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, upper and lower separator strips extending lengthwise of said folding means toward the discharge end of said machine and disposed to receive between them said other adhesive coated marginal end portion of said wrapper, a plurality of sets of tensioning rollers spaced apart lengthwise of said strips at opposite sides thereof beyond said folding means and disposed to draw said wrapper tightly about said stack, said rollers normally being positioned at a height to exert tensioning pressure on said flaps, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids respectively connected to said sets of rollers for raising them to position to clear said unit, normally open switches controlling said solenoids and successively actuated by said unit for energizing said solenoids effective for raising each set of rollers in advance of said unit and then deenergizing solenoids respectively as the unit enters beneath each set of rollers for lowering the latter to said normal position, and pressure means beyond said sets of rollers for ex erting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said wrapper;

' ll. Ina machine for applying about a stack of shingles higher, at one side than the other a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated marginal end portion opposed to and overlying said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids connected to said members respectively for selectively raising them to a height corresponding to the high side of the unit, normally open limit switches adjacent each side of the machine disposed to be closed by the high side only of the unit for energizing the corresponding solenoids and thereby raising in advance of said unit the one of said members corresponding to the high side of said unit, holding switch means actuated by said unit for holding closed the circuit of the last mentioned solenoids until said unit has passed beyond said members and thereafter opening said circuit, a plurality of sets of tensioning rollers beyond said folding means disposed to draw said wrapper tightly about said stack and normally positioned at a height to exert tensioning pressure on said flaps, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids respectively connected to said sets of rollers for raising them to position to clear said unit, normally open switches controlling the last mentioned solenoids and successively actuated by said unit for energizing said last mentioned solenoids effective for raising each set of rollers in advance of said unit and then deenergizing said last mentioned solenoids respectively as the unit enters beneath each set of rollers, and pressure means beyond said sets of rollers for exerting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said wrapper.

12. In a machine for applying about a stack of shingles higher at one side than the other a wrapper provided with pressure sensitive adhesive along the marginal end portions thereof at the outer face of one of said portions and the inner face of the other of said portions, means for conveying the wrapper with the stack of shingles thereon as a unit through the machine, means for folding the wrapper about the stack and downwardly onto the top thereof to provide two top closure flaps with said other adhesive coated'marginal end portion opposed to and overlying said one adhesive coated marginal end portion, said folding means comprising hold down and edge creaser members disposed to engage the upper corner portions of the unit in its travel and normally at a height corresponding to the low side of the unit, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids connected to said members respectively for selectively raising them to a height corresponding to the high side of the unit, normally open limit switches adjacent each side of the machine disposed to be closed by the high side only of the unit for energizing the corresponding solenoids and thereby raising in advance of said unit the one of said members corresponding to the high side of said unit, holding switch means actuated by said unit for holding closed the circuit of the last mentioned solenoids until said unit has passed beyond said members and thereafter opening said circuit, upper and lower separator strips extending lengthwise of said folding means toward the discharge end of said machine and disposed to receive between them said other adhesive coated marginal end portion of said wrapper, a plurality of sets of tensioning rollers spaced apart lengthwise of said strips at opposite sides thereof beyond said folding means and disposed to draw said wrapper tightly about said stack, said rollers being normally positioned at a height to exert tensioning pressure on said flaps, means comprising normally deenergized solenoids respectively connected to said sets of rollers for raising them to position to clear said unit, normally open switches controlling the last mentioned solenoids and successively actuated by said unit for energizing said last mentioned solenoids efiective for raising each set of rollers in advance of said unit and then deenergizing said last mentioned solenoids respectively as the unit enters beneath each set of rollers, and pressure means beyond said sets of rollers for exerting sealing pressure on said marginal end portions of said wrapper.

13. Means for wrapping a stack of shingles in a sheet of paper, comprising a horizontal table for supporting a part of the sheet and the stack of shingles to be wrapped, a vertical guide wall for holding a part of the sheet in a substantially vertical position, means for moving the sheet and stack longitudinally endwise of the stack, means for folding the free parts of the sheet over the top of the stack in overlapping relation, pulling rollers with their axes oblique to the direction of travel of the stack for pulling the sheet tight about the stack, means for raising the pulling rollers, means activated by the advance of the stack to a position beneath the rollers for lowering the rollers into contact with the free parts of the sheet, and means for pressing together the overlapping margins of the sheet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,063,392 McCain Dec. 8, 1936 2,113,549 Neher Apr. 5, 1938 2,762,178 Campbell Sept. 11, 1956 2,919,990 Podlesak Jan. 5, 1960 

